Rails and longitudinal obstacles
Rails, longitudinal seams, and grooves are easier to cross when you choose your line and crossing angle in advance.
Choose the angle in advance
Cross tram tracks and railroad tracks at a larger angle. If you have room, start changing your line in advance and avoid approaching the rail at an almost parallel angle.
Why a larger angle helps
The closer the crossing angle is to a right angle, the shorter the tire's path across the metal and the less likely the wheel is to be guided along the rail. Change your approach angle smoothly.
Don't force 90° with a sharp maneuver
The larger the crossing angle, the better, but don't make a sharp maneuver right before the rail just to reach 90°. Start moving over in advance and use only the space available.
On metal
Before contact, reduce your lean and choose your speed in advance. While the tire is passing over the rail, keep the throttle steady and make no abrupt throttle, brake, or steering inputs.
Turning left from tram tracks
Under the Russian traffic rules discussed in this guide, if same-direction tram tracks run to the left at the same level as the roadway, left turns and U-turns must be made from the tracks unless lane-direction signs or road marking 1.18 specify otherwise. Reduce your speed and choose your line in advance. Cross the first rail at a sufficiently large angle, then align the motorcycle between the rails. Cross the second rail smoothly as well, without an abrupt steering input immediately before contact. Account for broken pavement around the tracks and slippery metal. If the section is in poor condition, it may sometimes be easier to change your route or make the U-turn farther on, where there are no rails.
Sources · 1
- Motorcycle Operator Manual
Handling Dangerous Surfaces, pp. 28–30
Used for: A rail crossed at a shallow angle can deflect the wheel; adjust the line in advance.
Open source
Longitudinal obstacles
- longitudinal road seams
- deep grooves
- bridge joints
- metal strips
If the wheel enters a groove
Don't try to make a sharp move out of the groove. When there is enough room beside it, smoothly cross its edge at an angle close to perpendicular.
Longitudinal grates and joints
A grate or longitudinal joint may nudge the wheel slightly along it. Don't clamp down on the handlebars or try to correct every small wheel displacement abruptly.
Choose your line in advance
Leave enough room in advance for a smooth crossing so you don't have to change your line sharply right at the obstacle.
Sources · 1
- Motorcycle Operator Manual
Handling Dangerous Surfaces, pp. 28–30
Used for: Longitudinal seams, grooves, and the risk of the wheel being pulled along them.
Open source
On wet metal: no abrupt inputs
On a wet rail, grate, or plate, make all changes to speed and direction smoothly.
While the tire is on metal
Keep the throttle steady and your lean as small as possible. Avoid hard braking and abrupt handlebar movements.
Slow down before the wet metal
Finish most of your deceleration before the rail or plate so you won't have to brake hard once you're already on the metal.
Shift over before the wet rail
Start shifting over before the wet rail. Approach at an angle as close to perpendicular as the available space permits, without a sharp maneuver immediately before the rail.
Sources · 1
- Motorcycle Operator Manual
Handling Dangerous Surfaces, pp. 28–30
Used for: Grip on wet metal and crossing it smoothly.
Open source